If you employ a migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore, MOM requires you to send her for medical check ups at two points: once when she first arrives, and then every six months for as long as she works for you. This is not optional. It is a condition of her Work Permit under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, and the responsibility to arrange, pay for, and track these check ups sits with you as the employer.
This guide covers what each check up involves, when they are due, what happens if one is missed, and how to find a clinic if you are searching for a maid medical check up near you.
The Pre Employment Medical Examination
Before your MDW’s Work Permit can be issued, she must be examined by a Singapore-registered doctor within two weeks of her arrival in Singapore.
The entry medical exam screens for, among others:
- Tuberculosis
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Malaria
- General fitness to work
If your household has children under 7 years old who are not fully vaccinated against measles, your MDW is also required to demonstrate measles immunity as part of this exam.
Your MDW’s Work Permit can only be issued once she passes. If she fails, she cannot be granted the permit and will have to be sent home. You may also arrange additional tests at this stage if you have specific health concerns, at your own cost.
The Six-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME)
Once your MDW is working for you, MOM requires a six-monthly medical examination, commonly called the 6ME, for as long as her Work Permit is valid.
The 6ME is where most of the “maid medical check up” search intent lives, because it repeats throughout her employment and employers need to track the due dates.
What the 6ME tests for
- Pregnancy: checked at every 6ME
- Syphilis (VDRL): checked at every 6ME
- HIV: checked once every 2 years
- Tuberculosis: checked once, at the 2-year mark of her stay in Singapore
- Body mass index (BMI): height and weight are recorded and BMI calculated
- Visible signs of abuse or neglect: the examining doctor also assesses for this
The BMI and abuse-screening components were added to the 6ME in August 2021 specifically to help detect cases of MDW abuse, and remain part of every 6ME today.
Who is exempted
MDWs aged 50 and above do not need to sit for the 6ME every 6 months. They only require a medical examination when their Work Permit is up for renewal.
The timeline
MOM sends employers a notification letter and 6ME form by post when a check up is due. You are responsible for making sure your MDW completes the 6ME by the stated due date. You can check her previous exam dates and confirm when the next one falls due through the FDW eService on the MOM website, so you do not have to rely on the letter alone.
If you are also managing her Work Permit renewal timeline, it is worth reading our guide on how to renew a maid work permit, since the renewal medical exam and the 6ME schedule can overlap.
Where to Get the Check Up Done (“Near Me”)
The 6ME and the entry medical exam must both be conducted at a clinic by a Singapore-registered doctor. Results are submitted directly by the clinic to MOM, either through the Medical Examination (ME) Portal or the relevant online form for female migrant workers. Employers or their representatives should not be present during the examination itself.
MOM does not publish a single public directory of “approved” 6ME clinics for the general public to search. In practice, most general practice clinics across Singapore, including many neighbourhood and CHAS-registered clinics, offer 6ME and entry medical exam services for migrant domestic workers, provided the examining doctor is Singapore-registered and the clinic can submit results into MOM’s system. When searching for a clinic near you, look for one that explicitly lists “6ME” or “MDW medical check up” as a service, and confirm with the clinic that it can submit results to MOM before booking. If you are unsure which clinic to use, your employment agency can usually point you to a clinic near your home that regularly handles 6ME submissions.
Cost
MOM does not publish a fixed fee for the entry medical exam or the 6ME. What MOM does specify is that the employer must pay for the 6ME and any medical expenses arising from it. Clinic fees vary, so it is worth checking directly with the clinic you intend to use before your MDW’s appointment.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The medical check up requirement is enforced strictly because it protects public health and the safety of the household.
- If your MDW fails the entry medical exam, her Work Permit cannot be issued and she must be sent home.
- If your MDW is found pregnant, or tests positive for an infectious disease at her 6ME, you must cancel her Work Permit and send her home immediately.
- Missing the 6ME due date without a valid reason is treated as a breach of your obligations as an employer under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, and can affect your standing with MOM, including future Work Permit applications.
Because the financial and administrative consequences of a failed or missed check up can be significant, it is worth reviewing what protection you already have in place. Our articles on the security bond for a maid and maid insurance under the security bond explain how these obligations interact with an early repatriation.
Your Responsibilities as an Employer
In summary, as the employer of an MDW, you are expected to:
- Arrange her entry medical exam within 2 weeks of arrival, before her Work Permit is issued.
- Track her 6ME due date using MOM’s notification letter or the FDW eService, and book her appointment before the deadline.
- Pay for the 6ME and any related medical costs.
- Not be present in the examination room during the check up.
- Act immediately, including cancelling her Work Permit and arranging repatriation, if she fails a medical examination.
- Keep her other statutory obligations current alongside her medical schedule, including her maid levy payments and Work Permit renewal.
Missing a due date is one of the most common and avoidable compliance slips employers make, simply because the schedule is easy to lose track of alongside levy payments, insurance renewals, and Work Permit renewals.
Need Help Staying on Top of Your MDW’s Compliance Schedule?
If you need help finding a clinic near you, confirming when your MDW’s next 6ME is due, or understanding what happens if a deadline is missed, our team is here to guide you through it.
Get in touch with us today @ +6597766988. Inter Great Employment Pte Ltd (MOM EA Licence No: 14C6931).
(Disclaimer by Inter Great: All above information and/or monetary figures are meant for reference only. Please refer to MOM’s official website for updated and accurate information, or approach and consult our recruitment consultant if you need professional advice and consultation.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a migrant domestic worker need a medical check up in Singapore?
An MDW must complete an entry medical exam within 2 weeks of arriving in Singapore, and then a six-monthly medical examination (6ME) every 6 months for as long as she is employed. MDWs aged 50 and above are exempted from the 6ME schedule and only need a medical exam when their Work Permit is renewed.
What happens if my MDW fails the 6ME?
If your MDW is found pregnant or tests positive for an infectious disease at her 6ME, you are required to cancel her Work Permit and send her home immediately. This is a strict MOM requirement, not a discretionary decision.
Can I be present during my MDW’s medical examination?
No. MOM states that employers or their representatives should not be present during the 6ME or entry medical examination. The clinic submits the results directly to MOM.
Where can I find a clinic for my MDW’s medical check up near me?
MOM does not publish a public list of approved clinics. Most general practice clinics that offer a “6ME” or “MDW medical check up” service, including many CHAS-registered clinics, can conduct the exam as long as the doctor is Singapore-registered and the clinic can submit results to MOM. Your employment agency can also recommend a clinic near you.
Who pays for the maid medical check up in Singapore?
The employer pays for the 6ME and any medical expenses arising from it, as well as the entry medical exam. MOM does not publish a fixed fee, as clinic charges vary, so it is best to confirm the cost with the clinic directly before booking.